l An Taoiseach Enda Kenny's current mantra is that we must "hold the line" on the financial 'adjustments' to be presented in the Budget statement on October 15.

However, he and his colleagues know very well that in the world of real politics that may be impossible to do. A fierce wind is blowing, demanding an end – or at least a significant 'easing' – of austerity.

The Opposition is playing that card. Worse, a desperate Eamon Gilmore knows that the trend in the opinion polls points towards, at best, a massive 'trimming' of Labour representation in next year's local and European elections.

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